Vredekloof Heights Development + Traffic: Public Meeting

Good day Brackenfell residents

Those of you who submitted objections to City of Cape Town (CoCT) in respect of the rezoning and development of 534 flatson the existing ‘Andrag’ land would have received correspondence from CoCT via registered mail/e-mail.

The correspondence confirms that CoCT has approved the applications for development and rezoning, that we have the opportunity to appeal against the decision and that we have until 10 August to do so.  The documentation clearly indicates that we cannot merely provide reasons for our appeal, but have to refer to applicable legislation for the appeal application to be considered.  This makes it difficult for us who do not know the law.

Nico Fivaz, Leon Brynard and myself met with an attorney to discuss our options going forward.  After consultation it is clear that there are definitely grounds for appeal.  The suggestion on the table is that we nominate a community representative whom we give power of attorney to appear on our behalf, and that the attorney assists with completion of the appeal documentation which we will lodge together with a legal document that the attorney will prepare.  This will mean that the attorney will have to go through all the documentation from when the application for development/rezoning started in 2015 up to the latest correspondence – time that is limited with deadline 10 Aug, and money required to pay for legal fees.

Between Pierre Germishuys (chairman of Vredekloof Heights Neighbourhood Watch), Nico Fivaz (who represented us at the CoCT’s Interim Planning Committee meeting in May) and myself, we have already covered the cost of the independent traffic engineer and consultation cost of the attorney in an effort to ensure a fair process.

Pierre, Nico, Leon Brynard (Manager of the Vredekloof CID) and myself have formed a body, Northern District Community Forum (NDCF) that will be used now and in the future as a vehicle to address community issues in Brackenfell area as well as adjoining suburbs.  Any contributions towards legal fees for the appeal process, however minuscule, can be paid into the NDCF’s account (detail below).

I fully understand that some of us have become very despondent regarding the process followed, but we need to keep momentum, fight the steam-rolling/rubber stamping process used by CoCT’s and let our voices be heard.  Even if we are the only suburb/community in the Western Cape that has the courage to fight the system.

I encourage you to attend our community meeting that will be held on Monday, 31 July at 18:30 at Vredekloof Lodge where we will be able to share more information, and sign up to become a member of NDCF. 

Account name:  Northern District Community Forum

Nedbank Current account no:  1149930195

Tygerberg Winelands branch – branch code:  118602

Thanking you

Regards

Bonita Conradie